Blended Learning by the Numbers

  • Enrollment in online, K-12 schools in the United States has increased at a rate of 6% per year from 2009-2019, with 31 states allowing entirely online schools that meet the needs of roughly 310,000 students.(1)
  • 73% of survey participants felt that online learning enabled more flexibility than traditional models and the freedom to learn anywhere at anytime.  Additionally 81% felt it provided a personalized learning environment unmatched in traditional brick and mortar systems (2)
  • A 2019 experimental study of 112 ninth graders found a statistically significant improvement in science test scores for those students who received the material in a blended learning environment. (3)

(1) Snapshot 2019 is the first annual report of the Digital Learning Collaborative. 

(2) Ma, Jieming, et al. “Enhancing Students’ Blended Learning Experience through Embedding Metaliteracy.” Education Research International, vol. 2019, 2019, pp. 1–8., 

(3) Alsalhi, Najeh Rajeh et al. “The effect of blended learning on the achievement of ninth grade students in science and their attitudes towards its use.” Heliyon vol. 5,9 e02424. 11 Sep. 2019, doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02424 

Listen to CITE Award Winner and Indian Creek BLinc Instructor Sarah Allen ‘01 speak about BLinc the program on Education Talk Radio

Blended Learning @ Indian Creek (BLinc) expands and enhances the School’s curriculum through courses offered in face-to-face meetings with the instructor and online formats. BLinc classes are innovative, engaging, and challenging. Rigorous courses are designed by accomplished, enthusiastic, and responsive teachers for students who excel and seek additional opportunities for intellectual growth. BLinc promotes student engagement and fosters collaborative learning in an online atmosphere, preparing students for global citizenship in the 21st century.

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • What is a BLinc?

    BLinc is a blending learning course offered by Indian Creek faculty as an enrichment experience or as a course for credit. Although each course will be unique, all will be delivered as blended classes.
  • What’s a blended class?

    Blended courses (also known as hybrid or mixed-mode courses) are classes where a portion of the face-to-face instruction is replaced with web-based online learning.
  • How much of the face-to-face instruction will be replaced by online coursework?

    This answer will vary greatly by class, discipline, and learning objectives. For a BLinc the majority of the content delivery will be web-based. Instructors will be active and accessible, posting discussions, writing and discussing prompts. Youtube videos, virtual labs, lectures, and more will be part of the courses. Some courses may require occasional face-to-face meetings or a field-trip component. Please see course descriptions and syllabi for specific requirements.
  • When are BLincs offered?

    BLinc courses run across three seasons: Fall, Winter, and Summer. Our Summer season runs in three periods (June 19th - July 16th; July 3rd - July 30th; July 17th - August 13th). Fall and Winter BLincs for Lower School students will meet each Wednesday during afterschool (3:15 - 4:15) and Middle School students will meet as needed during free periods such as study halls.
  • How will the content be delivered?

    All online content will be delivered through Indian Creek School’s learning management system, Haiku. Each course will have other specific requirements.

Why take a BLinc?

After taking a BLinc course at ICS, students...

  • Turned their work in on time 13% more often
  • Worked until understanding a topic they initially did not understand 18% more often
  • Reacted well to comments from the teacher 32% more often
  • Enjoyed group work 33% more often
  • Offered their opinion in class 27% more often

BLinc in the News

For general questions about BLincs or blended learning please contact BLinc@indiancreekschool.org.
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland.  Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.